Thank you, Legislator Ford

To the Editor:

  I was very sad to see the letter in the Herald criticizing Legislator Denise Ford regarding the renaming ceremony for the Long Beach Bridge (“Not a fan of Legislator Ford,” April 28-May 4). The bridge renaming ceremony was a wonderful tribute to a local hero, and the local schoolchildren got to learn that heroes live among us and that serving our country is an honorable thing to do.

What I really wanted to say to Legislator Ford is: thank you. This past November, I was in the hospital having another operation to combat the effects of a car accident I was in a few years ago when my husband suddenly died of a heart attack. He was 51 years old. My two children and I were suddenly thrown into a world where we couldn’t pay for our heating oil and had to stretch what savings we had for food and gas for the car.

I called Legislator Ford’s office and got real help. I was given the names and numbers of agencies that could help us with the heating bills as well as food bill assistance until I could get back on my feet, literally. I was treated with respect and kindness, and I got a follow-up call months later to see how we were doing. 

I’m grateful that my husband’s insurance has come through and that we no longer require assistance. But the message I want to get out is that Legislator Ford threw me a lifeline when I needed it the most. She did her job, and I am so grateful for her efforts. 

Nancy Ingram

Oceanside